Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Tablescape Thursday--Jenni's Birthday

Susan at Between Naps on the Porch is hosting her 36th Tablescape Thursday!! 36!!! Wow! I'm impressed that she can think up 36 different tablescapes! Great job, Susan!
This tablescape was for our friends, Jenni and Brian. We had them over for dinner to celebrate Jenni's birthday...The candles were my inspiration...they're usually on the coffee table in the family room. I had covered candle holders in brown wrapping paper, layered old sheet music over that, and wrapped old lace around and secured it with two vintage clip on earrings..I took the color scheme and sheet music idea and went with it....

Plunked an old mirror down on the table and topped it with mercury glass votives, the large candles, and a crystal vase filled with the first roses from our garden. I needed more height for the roses so I set the vase on top of plate on top of a small tray (that I just picked up for a buck at a garage sale recently!)


I used old sheet music for place mats, thrift-store napkins in the perfect shade of brown, and the plates that my sweet hubby bought me at Costco at Christmas. Got the whole black and cream and silver thing goin' on...
I had forgotten to take a picture of it, but I wrapped Jenni's birthday gifts in sheet music and black ribbon!

Here's the whole view--with plenty of room to add the dishes of food!!
Check out Between Naps on the Porch for other fabulous tablescape ideas!!
Have a great day!!



Monday, April 27, 2009

Metamorphosis Monday

Susan, at Between Naps on the Porch is hosting Metamorphosis Monday---all about BEFORE and AFTER's.....
We moved the buffet that was in the kitchen into the sitting (front) room and I thought I'd just like to do a display with no real rhyme or reason, just grab stuff from around the house and pull it together. I had such fun playing!!

I first grabbed a throw that was on the back of the love seat and scrunched it up on the buffet. From there, I grabbed a couple of large pitchers and a bowl from the dining room, the fireplace screen that was in front of the fireplace in the sitting room, a bowl of seashells that were tucked away in a closet, a vase with some greenery from the master bedroom and also a little 'spring display' with the bunny and sheet music under a cloche. The candle holders came off the coffee table and I changed the candles from burgundy to pink.



It was such fun pulling it all together. Like I said, no rhyme or reason, just pleasing to my eyes!!
(Steve liked it too!) ;-)


Even tho Easter's over, I just love this little bunny so much, that I'm keeping him on display awhile longer!!
Be sure to check out more MM at Between Naps on the Porch!!
Have a lovely day!!




Sunday, April 26, 2009

Happy Birthday Courtney!!

Twenty-five years ago today, God gave me the desire of my heart--a little baby girl! And now she has grown to be one of my best friends!!Happy Birthday to my sweet daughter, Courtney!! I love you , Sweetie!!


My Darling Daughter
You are a shining example
of what a daughter can be-
love and laughter, beautiful and good,
honest and principled,
determined and independent,
sensitive and intelligent.
You are a shining example
of what every mother wishes her
daughter was and
I am so very proud of you.
~susan polis schutz~

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Tablescape Thursday

So I just came across last year's Easter pics and thought "Hope it's not too late to enter Tablescape Thursday!!"
The above pic is in the dining room. I found 2 squares of faux grass at Michael's on clearance, so used that for my centerpiece.

Here is a close up of one side of the centerpiece...

..and here is the other side.


Another view of the formal dining room.


Here is the 'kid's table in the kitchen. The yellow plastic goblets were found at a garage sale..I got 12 of the them for 10 cents a piece!! And they were brand new! I like them especially when we eat outdoors. The 'silver' 'chargers' are trays I bought for a $1.00 each at the Dollar Store.



The "Happy Easter" tray is a thrift store find...the Trust in the Lord cross also from the Dollar Tree, for, duh--a dollar!! ;-)


And the other side view....
Whew! I'm glad I found these pics to share with you!! Check out Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for other fabulous tablescapes!
Cheers!








Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Kitchen--Details

Here are closeups of the displays I did above the kitchen windows....
...using my plethora of vintage tea towels as window treatments....

I adhered silver ware to a vintage platter using industrial-strength glue--E-6000.
This is the left side of the window..

...and here is the right side..
Stay tuned for more!! Have a lovely day....

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Metamorphosis Monday--Kitchen

Susan, over at Between Naps on the Porch is hosting Metamorphosis Monday and I get to play along!!
Above are the "Before" pictures of the kitchen. It was wallpapered in a floral pattern. I have so many tchotkes (stuff) that I felt it was too 'busy' looking. My dear, kind, and loving husband agreed to paint it. The color is called "Friendly Yellow"--a soft, buttery color.
Below are the "After" pics...


At one point I had taken all the photos and poems off the fridge. Much to my surprise, Steve didn't like it! He said it didn't look "homey"!! Gotta love that man!! ;-)

We moved the buffet that was in front of the window into the sitting room...I'll show that next week. I have more pics of the kitchen and will post them this week....it's late now and I'm pooped!
Be sure to check out other great decorating ideas over at Between Naps on the Porch!!





Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Tablescape Thursday

Welcome to Tablescape Thursday!!
Recently I had a few ladies from church over for brunch. I wanted a fun, whimsical look for the tables.

I used 'snack-sets'...heirlooms from my mom. I tucked vintage hankies into the handles of the coffee cups on each plate for napkins. The "place mats" are paper napkins I picked up several years ago--a Mackenzie/Child's' pattern. Orange juice was served in vintage punchbowl cups.

The glittery vines for the centerpiece were 80% off at Jo Ann's after Christmas sale!! I love the pastel, spring colors!!

Here's another setting in the formal dining room, too.

The pink votives were 2 for $1.00 at the Dollar Tree!!


The hand painted water glasses were another thrift store find!
Be sure to check out other beautiful tablescapes at Between Naps on the Porch!






Friday, April 10, 2009

A Most Wonderful Birthday Present!

Zac, Amy and friends arrived around 1 a.m. this morning...and about 7:30 this morning, Zac came in my bedroom saying "Happy Birthday! Come downstairs and open your birthday present!" Steve was already down there eating breakfast before work. As someone who LOVES presents, I bounded out of bed and downstairs, grabbed a cuppa coffee as Amy presented me my gift. I shrieked when I opened it....
Amy made this darling "Grandparents Brag Book" photo album and it was their way of announcing to Steve and me that they're pregnant!! We are over the moon with excitement!! Thrilled beyond words! Our FIRST grand baby!!

I just wanted to share the happy news with you all! Hope you have a wonderful weekend--I, myself, will be floating thru it! ;-)
P.S. For those that know Darlou, don't say anything--they are going to tell her tomorrow!
P.S.S. Congratulations, Dad and Leilani--you're going to be Great-grandparents for the umpteenth time! :-D

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Easter Decor

Thought I'd share a few pics of a little Easter decorating I just did....hope you enjoy!!




I am so excited! Our son and daughter-in-love (Zac & Amy) are coming to visit and bringing their best friends who have an 8 month old son! They'll be here later tonight and will celebrate my birthday with me on Friday, and Easter Sunday, too!! So I get a two-fer visit!! ;-)
Hope you have a wonderful Thursday!




Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Mind Wide Open....

Due to circumstances beyond my control (and I HATE it when I'm not in control!) ;-) I haven't been able to play Mind Wide Open for awhile.
This month I was able to participate. Yay!
This is Gail's inspirational image, which I absolutely LOVE and printed out several different sizes to use in future artwork. And the prompt word was "Moments". I found a lovely quote by Henry Drummond and with the image and the quote, I was inspired to create an altered bottle.

Here is my entry, and close up of the quote. I had such fun creating this...using all my favorite colors!
Pop over to Mind Wide Open to see all the wonderful creations and vote for your favorite!!



Thursday, April 2, 2009

Tablescape Thursday

Welcome to Tablescape Thursday! Hosted by the lovely Susan of Between Naps on the Porch!
I recently invited my girl-friends from my Thursday morning Bible Study over for lunch. I love any opportunity to 'girly-up' a Tablescape!! ;-)

This was the centerpiece, only it was on the end so as to have more room for the serving pieces.
I love this quote and thought it perfect for the setting, as most of the women hadn't been to my home and it gives a little insight into who I am...


Once again, I set the table using mostly my garage-sale and thrift store finds. The tablecloth is an old, old coverlet for a full size bed...

..a close up of the place setting....


These darling little silver 'nut dishes' (a cherished gift from a dear friend of mine) held an individual chocolate for each place setting. I bought the chocolates wrapped in silver and then wrapped them with strips of pretty scrapbook paper...easy to do and can use any color of paper to match your tablescape theme!!
The main meal was a salad, and I offered two different dressings. A creamy dressing was served in the gravy boat and the vinaigrette was served in the creamer...


Another view of the table...

Be sure to visit other gal's beautiful Tablescapes over at Between Naps on the Porch!
Have a lovely day!